Daniels, Lee (Producer). & Daniels, Lee (Director). (2009). Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire [DVD]. United States: LionsGate.
This movie might be one of the most powerful movies that I have ever seen. Precious is a 16 year-old girl from Harlem that is not only illiterate, but also pregnant with her second child, both of which are fathered by her own father through rape. She also faces constant physical and emotional abuse from her mother. Suddenly, she finds herself kicked out of her regular school and in an alternative school. Her mother finds no real reason for school at all, which just adds to her frustrations as a student. Her mother is more interested in collecting welfare than supporting her daughter. At first, Precious does not really enjoy the alternative school, however, after a wonderful effort by her teacher, Mrs. Rain, Precious finds a home at this alternative school and seems to finally have a place in which she is accepted and loved. This movie is a fantastic journey of Precious's growth not only as a young woman but as a writer as well. This movie focuses African-Americans from Harlem and other parts of New York, some of which live on welfare, and others that are un-wed teenage mothers. The students that are in Precious's class are trying to make a better life for themselves.
Watching this movie had a profound effect on me. If I had a student such a Precious or any other student in her position, I would hope to do whatever I could to let them know that they can succeed, no matter what is going on outside the classroom. I would also encourage them to find an outlet. The students should be encouraged to find one that works for them, whether it be writing or drawing. I would hope to show the students that my classroom is a safe one in which they will not be judged and should be comfortable sharing their work. I feel much more aware of different cultural backgrounds I may face as a teacher. Growing up in the suburbs all my life, having a very diverse classroom would be very new to me. I think that I would try and take time to get to know my students as well as possible. I know that it may take time to adjust, but with guidance from other teachers, I hope to have success.
There is no real way that this could be used in a classroom because of the language and sexual content in the movie. I would however, recommend this movie to any future teacher. The part of Mrs. Rain is one that many future teachers could emulate because of her willingness to work with students that others have thrown to the curb and encourage their growth and their learning. Mrs. Rain takes the time to learn about her students and she pushes them, even when they don't want to be pushed. She finds that is the best time for them to write and let all their feelings be heard and get out of their system.
Daniels, Lee (Producer). & Daniels, Lee (Director). (2009). Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire [DVD]. United States: LionsGate.
This movie might be one of the most powerful movies that I have ever seen. Precious is a 16 year-old girl from Harlem that is not only illiterate, but also pregnant with her second child, both of which are fathered by her own father through rape. She also faces constant physical and emotional abuse from her mother. Suddenly, she finds herself kicked out of her regular school and in an alternative school. Her mother finds no real reason for school at all, which just adds to her frustrations as a student. Her mother is more interested in collecting welfare than supporting her daughter. At first, Precious does not really enjoy the alternative school, however, after a wonderful effort by her teacher, Mrs. Rain, Precious finds a home at this alternative school and seems to finally have a place in which she is accepted and loved. This movie is a fantastic journey of Precious's growth not only as a young woman but as a writer as well. This movie focuses African-Americans from Harlem and other parts of New York, some of which live on welfare, and others that are un-wed teenage mothers. The students that are in Precious's class are trying to make a better life for themselves.
Watching this movie had a profound effect on me. If I had a student such a Precious or any other student in her position, I would hope to do whatever I could to let them know that they can succeed, no matter what is going on outside the classroom. I would also encourage them to find an outlet. The students should be encouraged to find one that works for them, whether it be writing or drawing. I would hope to show the students that my classroom is a safe one in which they will not be judged and should be comfortable sharing their work. I feel much more aware of different cultural backgrounds I may face as a teacher. Growing up in the suburbs all my life, having a very diverse classroom would be very new to me. I think that I would try and take time to get to know my students as well as possible. I know that it may take time to adjust, but with guidance from other teachers, I hope to have success.
There is no real way that this could be used in a classroom because of the language and sexual content in the movie. I would however, recommend this movie to any future teacher. The part of Mrs. Rain is one that many future teachers could emulate because of her willingness to work with students that others have thrown to the curb and encourage their growth and their learning. Mrs. Rain takes the time to learn about her students and she pushes them, even when they don't want to be pushed. She finds that is the best time for them to write and let all their feelings be heard and get out of their system.